Tulsa Chautauqua returns for 33rd year with Roaring Twenties theme

The state’s largest living history program returns for its 33rd year as Tulsa Chautauqua 2025 kicks off June 3-7 at the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum.

This year’s theme, Anything Goes: The Roaring Twenties, invites audiences to explore the people, culture and complexity of one of America’s most iconic decades.

Living History Comes to Life

Tulsa Chautauqua is known for blending education with live performance, featuring scholars who portray historic figures through first-person narrative. The program offers a deep dive into the ideas, achievements and challenges of the featured era, aiming to spark meaningful reflection and dialogue.

The event includes daytime workshops inside the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum, located at 2445 S. Peoria Ave. Evening performances take place outdoors under a tent, creating an immersive storytelling experience for audiences of all ages.

Exploring the Roaring Twenties

Through interactive presentations, audiences can engage with key figures from the 1920s and gain new perspectives on the social, political and cultural dynamics of the decade. This year’s featured characters include Bessie Smith, portrayed by scholar Rebecca Jimerson.

The Roaring Twenties are often mythologized as a time of glamour and excess. Tulsa Chautauqua aims to peel back the layers, offering historical context and a better understanding of how individuals of the time navigated a rapidly changing world.

A Longstanding Tradition

This year marks the 33rd Tulsa Chautauqua, continuing a tradition that began in the early 1990s. Each year features a new theme and a new slate of scholars selected to portray historic figures who represent that era.

Five scholars are chosen annually, each contributing to a week of workshops and evening performances designed to educate and entertain.

Stay Connected

For updates and additional information:

1. Website: TulsaChautauqua.org
2. Facebook: facebook.com/TulsaChautauqua